Festival Grant

The Festival Grant is an initiative spearheaded by The Arts Council of Greater Greensboro to nurture the rich cultural landscape of Guilford County, North Carolina. Emphasizing the transformative power of festivals and cultural events, the grant aims to preserve regional traditions, enhance local pride, and support economic and social development. By backing festivals that celebrate artistic expression, music, craft, and heritage, the program actively supports vibrant community engagement and cultural awareness. Designed to support one- to three-day festivals, the grant program provides financial assistance between $500 and $3,000. These funds are intended to complement an event’s budget and may cover costs such as marketing, artist hiring, and permit acquisition. However, the funding must not exceed 50% of the total projected expenses. Only one application per organization is allowed each fiscal year, a rule established to encourage a diverse pool of grant recipients. Applicants must demonstrate a consistent three-year history of organizing qualifying festivals. The Festival Grant operates in two cycles annually. The spring cycle opens in January 2026, funding events scheduled between March 1 and August 30, 2026. The fall cycle opens in May 2026, supporting festivals occurring between September 1, 2026 and February 28, 2027. Each grant round is designed to provide timely support for community festivals that enhance local artistic vitality across the municipalities of Guilford County, including Greensboro, High Point, and other surrounding areas. Eligibility is limited to Guilford County-based nonprofit 501(c)(3) organizations, LLCs, B Corps, and C Corps, with priority given to arts-focused nonprofits. Eligible festivals must take place within Guilford County and demonstrate benefit to its residents. Events must be community-centered, inclusive, and culturally enriching. The program excludes fundraising events, religious or political gatherings, athletic competitions, government-sponsored programs, and commercial or exclusionary events. Additionally, use of funds for real property, lobbying, debt reduction, or hospitality is prohibited. Applicants are evaluated through a community panel scoring system that considers organizational credibility, community outreach, alignment with cultural goals, logistical planning, safety, marketing strength, and funding diversity. Only proposals scoring above 60 out of 100 points are eligible for funding. Successful applicants receive a single installment upon execution of a grant contract. Awardees are required to comply with post-grant obligations such as securing relevant permits, submitting a final report within 30 days of the event, and displaying the official ACGG logo with pre-approval. Application procedures include submitting a completed form during the designated application windows. For more information or to request application materials, prospective applicants may contact the grant administrator at druffino@theacgg.org via email.

Emphasize cultural identity and three-year track record to score well in evaluation.